This is one of the best CCM pop albums I’ve ever heard but I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard it. Let’s start out with a bit of background. Craig Ginn was born in Churchill MB but his music career started in Winnipeg MB. The original Craig Ginn Band started in the mid 80’s with Craig’s wife, Carla, Paul Kutcher, and Sam Kennedy. They were well known in the Winnipeg Christian scene playing coffee houses, youth conventions, and church events. People from Winnipeg will probably remember them appearing frequently at The Heartline Cafe, a coffee house in the basement at Fort Garry MB church.
This version of the band however never recorded in the studio. This version came to an end when Craig moved to Alberta but this wasn’t the end of Craig’s music. I don’t know the backstory but Craig ended up in the studio with producer Roy Salmond at the same time as he was recording albums for Connie Scott and Hope Sterling, both of whom make appearances on this album. Paul from the original band also makes an appearance as well as Craig’s wife of course. From that studio appearance came this album. I do not know how many of these were recorded or distributed but other than this copy I have never heard or seen one and there is no mention of this album anywhere on the entire internet. We added it to Discogs so at least it’s there now. I do know that the lead track made it onto a sampler released by a local radio station in Edmonton AB. The album is very very good and I’m a bit baffled how this couldn’t find a label release. It is pop oriented but Craig’s vocals are fantastic and distinctive enough that I would have thought some record company would have jumped on this especially with Roy Salmond producing it. Unfortunately it didn’t so no one ever heard it. Craig did record a second Christian album which we have but I don’t have a date or any info on that album. Craig continues to make music today. He has two albums that concentrate on his indigenous background and education of indigenous issues through music.
Tracklist
1 – Easily Manipulated
2 – His Promise
3 – It Takes Heart
4 – Is There Someone?
5 – Soothe The Wounds
6 – Never Say It
7 – Real Time
8 – Everything I’ve Got
9 – Restore Me
10 – This Need
11 – Help Me See Through Your Eyes
12 – My Jesus I Love Thee
Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Programmed By, Keyboards, Sequenced By, Backing Vocals, Producer – Roy Salmond
Backing Vocals – Carla Ginn, Cecile Laroche, Connie Scott, Donny Hackett, Hope Sterling, Joani Bye, Paul Kutcher, Pete Wistoff
Bass Guitar – Brian Newcombe, Rene Worst
Drums – Daryl Bennett, Jerry Adolphe
Flugelhorn, Lead Vocals – Craig Ginn
Guitar – Brett Wade, Carl Strempler, Harris Van Berkel
Guitar, Classical Guitar – Dane DeViller
Piano – Dave Pickell
Recorded By, Mixed By – Gary Tole
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Dave Slagter
Saxophone – Ian Putz
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Inside Trax Studio
Mixed At – Inside Trax Studio
Produced At – Whitewater Productions, Vancouver, BC
